Arzua

[Travelite]

Arrived in Arzua while doing the SJPDP camino sometime in October 2018, Dragging my body like an injured animal - that's how exhausted I was. My Albergue, to make things worse, was situated on the furthest end of the town. The Albergue door was wide open, but no one manning the desk. I promptly dropped my backpack and slumped into the nearest chair. On the desk was a propped up note, can't recall anything on it except, "I LOVE YOU ALL". I sat and waited for an hour then I heard movement from within and seconds later two ladies entered the reception area. One went straight for the street door but the other lagged a little and I asked, ARE YOU THE MANAGER?. She gave a friendly laugh and said, NO, WE'RE PILGRIMS. WE'VE BEEN HERE FOR THREE HOURS ALREADY STILL NO ONE HAS COME, SO WE SHOWERED AND MADE OURSELVES AT HOME!!! GO AHEAD, SHOWER AND MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME. So I did. Hours later(I had fallen asleep on my chosen bunk) a sudden noise woke me - the manager had finally arrived!!! Just wondering if this "empty Albergue" has happened to any other pilgrim.

 

[Bradypus]

Just wondering if this "empty Albergue" has happened to any other pilgrim.

Not that particular albergue in Arzua but certainly in other places. Most recently in Olveiroa on the route to Fisterra. I arrived to find the hospitalera's office closed but the dormitories open. People just found themselves a bed and got on with life as normal until the hospitalera turned up at 7pm to register people and stamp their credencials. When the Caminos were much quieter it was not at all unusual for albergues to be left unlocked and for someone to call around later in the evening on the off-chance that they had pilgrims staying. Happens far less often these days.

 

[Anamiri]

Yes, in Hornillos. It took us hours to find anyone, they were all working in the bar.

 

[Kiwi-family]

Happens frequently on non-Frances routes.

 

[jsalt]

Just wondering if this "empty Albergue" has happened to any other pilgrim.

Hi, yes, often. As @Bradypus says the hospitalero will come in about 6 or 7pm to check everyone in. On the Salvador last year there were only 2 of us in the albergue. We were both sorting ourselves out, going from the dorm to the showers to the common room to the kitchen, etc, when he came in and gave us a good telling off for having all the lights on. He then went round and switched them all off, and the heater in the dorm. I immediately switched that back on when he left – it was freezing – it had been snowing the day before. I switched it off when I got into bed. But, yeah, in other words, make yourself at home!

 

[Dougie1982valley]

These tales of trust and sanctuary are just excellent. Heart warming stuff.

 

[trecile]

Yes, in Dumbria. There was a note to choose a bunk and that the hospitalero/a would be there later to check us in. Apparently she came and then left again while I was at dinner. But not to worry! She came back after I was in bed and woke me to register and pay!

 

[Iriebabel]

Happend to me in Melide. The albergue run by and behind the Ezequel Pulperia ....nice people wonderful meal! That Pulperia is always busy so shower, take your valuables, make yourself at home go over for dinner let someone know you are there...they will get there eventually to check you in.

 

[FLEUR]

In Curcubion after Cee ( En route to Finistere) a tiny albergue slept 14. We had reserved and the message was there would be two beds (/bottom bunks) with sea view! Exactly as described.
Door to street wide open. A notice told others to choose their bed and put on the reserved notice. There was a phone number for the person in charge , he ran a Posada close by. He later appeared to check us in after I phoned re our luggage transfer ( which had been delivered to the Posada). All ok.

 

[Albertagirl]

When I stayed at the municipal albergue in Sahagun there was no staff on duty. Thanks to Brierley, I knew that it was located in a former church which it shared with the tourist office. When I looked in at the tourist office later, a woman on duty at the desk checked me in. The next morning as I was leaving, another woman was arriving at the building to do the cleaning. There did not seem to be any other staff but it was comfortable enough, with all necessary services available in town.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

These tales of trust and sanctuary are just excellent. Heart warming stuff.

 

[AlwynWellington]

Just wondering if this "empty Albergue" has happened to any other pilgrim.

As @Kiwi-family has noted, elsewhere.

I encountered this manner quite often between Le Puy and Saint-Jean, especially with the municipal gite. On one occassion saw no one during my entire stay. But did find the tin that held the stamp and ink pad for my credential.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Just wondering if this "empty Albergue" has happened to any other pilgrim.

Very regularly away from the Camino Frances.

 

[camino07]

On the Sanabrese very frequently.